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The Law

City Traffic The classic scene on Indian roads is that of arrogant drivers bullying over safer drivers. Trucks, buses, cars, two wheelers and three-wheelers all wedging in between other vehicles, trying to race ahead, at traffic signals and in between signals. Racing the engine while having stopped for the traffic red light to turn green is the street language and show of power.

With their hands on the steering wheel, most drivers feel they own the roads. For these drivers traffic rules are silly and kill the joy of driving a vehicle.

More than 35 million (3.5 crore) registered vehicles traffic a network of around 3 million Kms of roads in India. The Indian roads see more than 3 lakh road accidents that kill more than 65000 people and injure another 3 lakh.
The figures scare you more when you realise that the vehicular population is more concentrated in metropolitan cities. The most appalling fact is that, most accidents happen due to sheer ignorance amongst drivers and vehicle owners of basic rules for the Indian roads.

Better knowledge of rules and regulations could help everyone on the roads.

The RTO office enforces the law on Indian roads, and the law that governs the Indian roads is the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) and the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). Knowing the MVA and the CMVR can help you understand your rights and liabilities as a driver in India.

The Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) 1914 / 1939 and 1988 - The law for operation for all motor vehicles in India.
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) 1994 - Rules that stipulate various procedures with reference to the MVA 1988
The State Motor Vehicles Rules - Rules framed by various state governments in accordance with the MVA and CMVR to suit local conditions of the state.

Check if you know these Rules and Regulations:
Driving Licence (Section 14 MVAct)
An appropriate driving licence is required if you want to drive a motor vehicle anywhere in India. A driver's licence issued by the competent authority of any state / union territory is valid throughout the Indian Union.
International Driving Permit (IDP) can be issued by any RTO or motoring associations, like The Western India Automobile Association, authorised by the Government. The period of validity is one year. You must carry your driving licence on your person at all times, a photocopy of the driving licence is not acceptable.

Read Registration procedure for more information.
Insurance (Section 146 MVAct)
No motor vehicle can be driven in a public place unless it has a valid insurance.
The legal requirement is of 'third party' insurance only. It is sensible to have a comprehensive policy that covers - third party risk, damage / loss due to accident, fire or theft and also covers risks against floods, earthquake, riots and strikes.

Read Insurance for Cars for more information.
Alteration in Motor Vehicle (Section 52 MVAct)
No vehicle can be altered to an extent that the particulars containing in the registration certificate are no longer accurate.
Before doing any alterations, it is necessary to have permission of the concerned RTO.
After carrying out the alteration, the owner must forward the certificate of registration to the RTO within 14 days, for making necessary corrections.
Documents to be carried (Section 130 MVAct)
Non-transport vehicles must carry evidence of:
  • Valid certificate of registration
  • Valid certificate of insurance
  • Payment of tax - (Cars in Maharashtra need to have an endorsement for payment of lifetime tax.)
  • PUC certificate (PUC certificate is valid for one year for all new cars, subsequently a PUC certificate has to be obtained every six months.)
Attested photocopies of the above documents are also acceptable.

Car Registration Mark (Rule 50,51 CMV Rules)
The registration number displayed must confirm to following specifications:
Letters: 4.5 cm high / 1 cm thick
Numerals: 6 cm high / 1 cm thick
Space between letters / numerals should not be less than 1 cm.

The colour scheme for Non-Transport vehicles (Section 118 MVAct):
Permanent Registration - White on Black Plate.
Temporary Number - Red on Yellow Plate.
Fancy lettering, raised or shining metal numbers are not permitted. The plate should not have any line, or colour, or any other kind of marking on it.
Lamps and additional lights (Rules 105-108,111 CMV Rules)
  • Spotlights, search lights, fancy lights, mercury lamps are expressly forbidden.
  • Dome lights are not permitted unless specially authorised.
  • A reversing white light is permitted provided the light is diffused and not too bright.
Rear View Mirror (Rule 125 CMV Rules)
Every motor vehicle, except motor cycles, must be fitted with a rear view mirror in such a way that the driver has a clear vision of the traffic behind.
Horns (Rule 119 CMV Rules)
No vehicle is allowed to be fitted with any multitone horn. Horns producing musical notes, unduly harsh, loud, shrill or alarming noises fall in this category.
Tinted Glasses (Rule 100 CMV Rules)
Tinted glasses or sun control films should not be so dark as to obscure clear vision.
Any material that reflects light is also not permitted. Use of curtains that obscure clear vision is prohibited.
TV / Video / Music (Rule 162 MMV Rules)
No TV / Video display should be placed in a vehicle in a manner that it may distract the driver. The music played in the vehicle must be kept at low levels of sound so as not to distract other drivers on the road.

Duty of driver in case of accident and injury to a person (Section 134 MVAct134)
When any person is injured or any property of a third party is damaged, as a result of an accident in which a motor vehicle is involved, the driver of the vehicle or other person in charge of the vehicle shall -
  1. Unless it is not practicable to do so on account of mob fury or any other reason beyond his control, take all reasonable steps to secure medical attention for the injured person, (by conveying him to the nearest medical practitioner or hospital immediately to attend to the injured person and render medical aid or treatment without waiting for any procedural formalities), unless the injured person or his guardian, in case he is a minor, desires otherwise.
  2. Give on demand by a police officer any information required by him, or, if no police is present, report the circumstances of the occurrence, including the circumstances, if any, for not taking reasonable steps to secure medical attention as required under clause (a), at the nearest police station as soon as possible, and in any case within twenty four hours of the occurrence.
  3. Give the following information in writing to the insurer who has issued the certificate of insurance, about the occurrence of the incident namely:
    1. Insurance Policy number and it's period of validity.
    2. Date, Time and Place of accident.
    3. Particulars of the persons injured or killed in the accident.
    4. Name of the driver and particulars of his driving license.

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Driving Etiquettes
 
Know this rule?
Sheep,
cows
and other animal have legal right of way over motor vehicles. Regardless of the circumstances, the legal liability is always on the driver in case of accidents involving an animal.

Road Accidents
More than 65,000 persons die and over 3,00,000 are injured every year in road mishaps on Indian roads.

Of the total network of roads in India, the National Highways constitute approximately 2%, State Highways 6%, Other roads within the state 15%, Rural roads 59%, Project roads 10%, and Urban roads only 8%.

50% of the total accidents in India occur in 23 metropolitian cities.